Wall structure



- Filed April 15, 1948 IPA/enter: Basil S. Cain,

Jo y H is Atc ornay atenteci Nov. 1, 1949 WALL STRUCTURE Basil S. Cain, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Eleotric Company, a corporation of New York Application April 15, 1948, Serial No. 21,121

11 Claims. (01. 105-407) This invention relates to the construction of load bearing walls and in particular to load bearing walls which are supported at a small number of points with the result that a portion of the wall is under compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the line of force of the applied load. In some situations, for instance, a locomotive cab in which heavy equipment such as the prime mover is supported by the cab structure, it is desirable that the load bearing side walls or frames be as thin as possible in order to conserve space to accommodate the prime mover or other equipment in the interior of the cab. However, if the walls are made too thin the portions which are under compression will tend to buckle.

The present practice is to provide a wall or wall members having sufficient thickness that buckling is avoided. This, of course, results in a waste of space.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved load bearing wall structure which combines the load bearing strength of thick, heavy walls with the space conservation and light weight of thin walls.

Another object of my invention is to provide a supporting brace structure in combination with a load bearing wall to prevent the buckling of the wall in order that the wall itself may be thin, thereby conserving space and weight.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved locomotive cab structure wherein supporting brace structures are provided in combination with opposed load bearing side walls in such a manner that the supporting structures which normally extend laterally into the space between the walls in order to prevent the buckling of the walls may be removed or displaced from the space between the walls in order that the prime mover or other large objects which occupy practically the full space between the side walls may be inserted or removed.

One difiiculty which arises in connection with the use of a removable or displaceable brace member results from the fact that since the removable brace member cannot conveniently be made to carry a part of the compressive load, the load bearing wall member is compressed longitudinally with the result that it is shortened with respect to the brace member. Accordingly, it is another object of my invention to provide connections between the wall and the brace member which will enable the brace member to prevent the buckling of the wall and at the same time to permit sufli-.

cient relative longitudinal movement of the wall 2 and the brace member that the shortening of the wall member will not cause longitudinal binding between the wall member and the brace member.

My invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The figures in the drawings show the application of my invention to a locomotive cab.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a cross-section of a locomotive cab having thin load bearing side walls or frames and hinged brace members; Fig. 2 is a plan view of one wall and the supporting brace member, showing the brace member hinged to the wall; Fig. 3 is an elevation view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of one wall and the supporting brace member, showing the brace member connected to the wall by means of connecting links; Fig. 5 is an elevation view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a side view of one wall; and Fig. 7 is a plan view of one wall and a brace member in three sections.

Referring to Fig. 1, a large object or piece of equipment such as a Diesel prime mover or steam generator, indicated generally by the numeral Ill, is positioned in a locomotive cab and is supported by its shoulders II which engage shoulders l2 of the enlarged portions l3 of the relatively thin load bearing cab side walls M. The brace members [5 as shown in this figure are attached to the walls M by hinged connections I6. An outer covering [1 encloses the cab.

Since the outer dimensions of the cab have practical limitations, it is desirable to make the side walls [4 as thin as possible in order that there may be a maximum of space between the walls for the equipment Ill. The load bearing side walls M are supported by the trucks (not shown) at two points near their respective ends and the upper portions of the walls will therefore be in compression and the lower portions l3 will be in tension. Since the walls are relatively thin, the upper portions of the walls being in compression have a tendency to buckle. The supporting brace members l5 prevent the buckling of the walls since they have a relatively great bending moment in the horizontal plane and are connected to the walls along lines of compressive force.

In a situation in which the brace member need not be removed or displaced to permit removal of equipment, the brace member can be fixed in place permanently. This arrangement has the advantage of very simple construction and still permits thin walls without danger of buckling. In the application to a locomotive cab, the thin side walls would permit a larger walkway or equipment space. If a walkway parallels the wall, the brace, preferably, should be placed high enough above the floor that it does not interfere with head roorn.

It is apparent that if the supporting brace members l5 were permanently attached to the side walls l4, it would not be possible to remove the equipment l shown in Fig. 1. However, in one form of my invention the brace member 15 is hinged to the wall [4. This makes it possible to displace the brace member by swinging it over the top of the wall I4. It is obvious that this will permit the removal or insertion of the equipment l0.

Before thebrace member I is swung out of its normal position, it is necessary obviously that the wall l4 be supported by external means in order to prevent buckling of the upper portion of the wall. The external supporting means can be of many obvious forms, and since it is not a part of the invention it will not be described.

Fig. 2 shows the brace member i5 connected to the wall I4 by means of hinges I6. Fig. 3 is an elevation of Fig. 2. that the brace member I5 can readily be swung either up or do'wn in the direction of the arrows a and b for the purpose already set out.

It would be possible to make the brace member l5 carrya portion of the compressive load, but this would involve a, rather complicated structure and would probably result in its being more difiicult to swing the brace member out of its normal position. In the preferred arrangements shown in the drawings the brace member l5 does not carry any part of the compressive load. The compressive load is carried entirely by the upper portion of the side walls I4. Since the upper portion' of. the wall is subject to the compressive loadwhile the brace member i5 is not, the Wall will be compressed longitudinally with respect to the brace member. If the hinged connections 85 between the wall and the brace member do not permit relative longitudinal movement between the wall and the brace member, a portion of the compressive load would necessarily be transmittedto the inner element I8 of the brace member while the outer element I9 would be relatively unaifec'ted by this load. This unequal load on the two main elements of the brace member might result in a bowing of the brace member and a corresponding bowing of the wall I 4. This condition would tend to defeat the purpose of the brace member since the combination of the wall and brace member in a bowed condition might be less able to carry the compressive load than a straight wall which is supported laterally by a member which is not carrying a part of the compressive load. In the preferred embodiment of my invention disclosed in the drawings this possible difficulty is avoided by the use of connections between the Walls and the brace members which accommodate longitudinal expansion and contraction of the wall relative to the brace member.

This relative movement is permitted in the ar= rangement shown in Fig. 2 or 3 by the use of hinged connections in which there is longitudinal spacing between the corresponding ends of This figure illustrates the two sets of leaves which are engaged by the pintle pin so that the corresponding leaves will not contact each other either under no load conditions or when the wall is carrying its normal compressive load. This is clearly shown in Fig. 2. It will be noted that all of the hinges need not have provision for relative longitudinal movement. One hinge can be made Without provision for relative longitudinal movement since the brace member will not. be subjected to the compressive load unless at least two hinges cause binding of the brace member. It may be desirable to use one normal hinge to prevent casual relative longitudinal movement.

Fig. 4 shows a different embodiment of the connection between the brace member and the upper portion or member of the wall. The brace member i5 is connected to the wall [4 by means of connecting links 2|, 22 and 23. It will be apparent that the connecting links will carry lateral forces between the wall and the brace member, but that they will not transmit longitudinal movement between the wall and the brace member. The brace member l5 will then prevent the buckling of the Wall, but the wall will not transmit a compressive load to the brace member.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, all of the connecting links permit relative longitudinal movement between the wall and the brace member. As in the case of the hinged connections shown in Fig. 2', it is not necessary that all of the connections between the wall and the brace member permit relative longitudinal movement. 7 One connecting member, for example member 22, may be rigid without resulting in the brace member carryirig any part of the compressive load. Such an alternative arrangement may be desirable to prevent casual relative longitudinal movement.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4.

The arrangement shown in'Figs. 4 and 5 involving the use of connecting links requires that the brace member be removed when it is desired to insert or remove machinery which occupies the full space between the walls of the locomotive cab. It is apparent that a wide variety of pins or bolts might be used to connect the'connectinglinks to the Wall or the brace member l5 which would permit the convenient removal of the brace memher. The connection could be broken at the points of attachment of the brace member to the connecting linksor at the points of attachment of. the connecting links to the wall.

In Figs. 1 through 5 no means has been shown for holding the brace member in position. Numerous means are obvious. One possible arrangement for holding thebra ce member in place is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The means there shown involves pinning the-brace member to horizontal cross beams 24 which tie the two cab side walls I4 together. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the walls l4 are connected by cross beams 24. Angle irons 25 are attached to the faces of the cross beams 24 and are provided with fittings 26 which per-'- mit the brace-members to beconnecte'd to the cross beams by means of tie rods 21; The connection between the brace members and the cross beams is loose fitting or elastic inorder that no portion of the compressiveforce carried by the side wall I 4 will be transmitted to the brace member. The connections merely-hold the brace member in a horizontal plane. The connections between the brace member and the wall [4 are not shown in Figs; 6 and 7.

It is intended that Figs. 6 and 7 merely illustrate one of many obvious methods of holdin the brace members in a horizontal plane.

I have indicated above that by my preferred embodiment of the displaceable brace member the brace member does not carry any part of the compressive load. However, it might be desirable, under certain circumstances, to spring load the brace member, or otherwise arrange for it to carry a portion of the compressive load. It is my intention to cover any brace member which is not subject to the full compressive force which it would normally carry.

While this specification shows two particular types of connections between the brace member and the wall, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible. This specification also shows in Figs. 2 and 4 three points of connection between the brace member and the wall. It is obvious that a much larger number of connections may be used to advantage. It is also apparent that if the load bearing side walls are supported at their centers rather than at their ends, the lower portion or lower member of the load bearing wall would be in compression while the upper portion or member of the wall would be in tension. In such a case, the brace member should of course be connected to the lower portion or member of the wall along a line of compressive force. It is my aim to cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination a relatively thin load bearing wall supported in such manner that a portion of said wall is in compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied load, a brace member normally in a bracing position substantially perpendicular to said wall and extending along said portion of said wall which is in compression, and means connecting said brace member to said wall portion at a plurality of points, said last named means being constructed and arranged to permit said brace member to be readily displaced from its bracing position.

2. In combination a relatively thin load bearing wall supported in such manner that a portion of said wall is in compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied load, a brace member normally in a bracing position substantially perpendicular to said wa1l and extending along said portion of said wall which is in compression, and a plurality of hinge means connecting said brace member to said wall portion, said hinge means permitting said brace member to be readily displaced from its bracing position.

3. In combination a relatively thin load bearing wall supported in such manner that a portion of said wall is in compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied load, a brace member normally in a bracing position substantially perpendicular to said wall and extending along said portion of said wall which is in compression, and a plurality of link means connecting said brace member to said wall portion, said link means being constructed and arranged to permit said brace member to be readily removed from its bracing position.

4. In combination a relatively thin load bearing wall supported in such manner that a portion of said wall is in compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied load, a brace member normally in a bracing position substantially perpendicular to said wall and extending along said portion of said wall which is in compression, and means connecting said brace member to said wall portion at a plurality of points, said last named means being constructed and arranged to accommodate longitudinal expansion and contraction of said wall portion relative to said brace member and to permit said brace member to be readily displaced from its bracing position.

5. In combination a relatively thin load bearing wall supported in such manner that a portion of said wall is in compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied load, a brace member normally in a bracing position substantially perpendicular to said wall and extending along said portion of said wall which is in compression, and a plurality of hinge means connecting said brace member to said wall portion, said hinge means permitting said brace to be readily displaced from its bracing position and being constructed and arranged to accommodate longitudinal expansion and contraction of said wall portion relative to said brace member.

6. In combination a relatively thin load bearing wall supported in such manner that a portion of said wall is in compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied load, a brace member normally in a bracing position substantially perpendicular to said wall and extending along said portion of said wall which is in compression, and a plurality of link means connecting said brace member to said wall portion, said link means being constructed and arranged to accommodate longitudinal expansion and contraction of said wall portion relative to said brace member and to permit said brace to be readily removed from its bracing position.

7. In combination a relatively thin load bearing wall supported in such manner that a portion of said wall is in compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied load, a brace member normally in a bracing position substantially perpendicular to said wall and extending along said portion of said wall which is in compression, and hinge means connecting said brace member to said wall portion, said hinge means comprising longitudinally spaced hinge leaves connected to said wall portion, corresponding longitudinally spaced hinge leaves connected to said brace member, and a pintle pin engaging the ends of said sets of leaves, there being longitudinal spacing between corresponding leaves of said sets of leaves in order to accommodate longitudinal expansion and contraction of said wall portion relative to said brace member, said hinge means also permitting said brace member to be readily displaced from its bracing position.

8. In combination a relatively thin load bearing wall supported in such manner that a portion of said wall is in compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied load, a brace member normally in a bracing position substantially perpendicular to said wall and extending along said portion of said wall which is in compression, and means connecting said brace member to said wall portion, said means comprising at least three longitudinally spaced pins engaging said brace member and perpendicular to the plane of said brace member.

access- 1 correspondingly spaced pins engaging" said wall portion. said lastnamed pins being paraIl'eL to thepins engaging said brace member; and-readily detachable connecting links; each of which is pivotally connected at one end to said brace member by engagement with one of said pins engaging said brace member and pivotally connected: at its other end to said wall portion by engagement with the corresponding pinengaging. said wall portion whereby said wall portion can freely expand andcontract relative" to'said brace member and said brace member'is readily detachable from said wall.

9; A cab construction for a locomotive adapted tofacilita't'e' the passage of objects substantially the-width of the cab through the top of said cab comprising in; combination two opposed load bearing side walls adapted to support said objects within said cab and adapted: to be supported near their respective ends, a brace member normal-ly located in a bracing position extending along the upper edge of each of said walls and projecting laterally into the space between said walls, and a plurality of hinge means respectively connecting said brace members to said walls and permitting said'brace members to be readily movable into a position wherein said brace members no longer present any obstruction to the passage of large objects through the top of said cab, said hinge means being constructed and arranged. to permit expansion and contraction of the upper edges of said walls relative to said brace members.

10. A cabconstruction for a locomotive adapted to facilitate thepassage of objects substantially the width of the cab through the top'of said cab comprising in combination twoopposed load bearing side walls adapted to support said objects within said cab and adapted to be supported near their respective ends, a brace member normally located in a bracing position extending along the upper edge of each of said Walls and projecting laterally into the space between said walls, and a plurality of link means connecting said brace members to said walls, said link means being constructed and arranged to accommodate longitudinalexpansion and contraction of said upper edges of said walls relative to" said brace members and to permit said brace members to be readily removed from their brac ing position.

11'. In combination, a relatively thin load'bearili g wall'supported in such a manner that a portion of said wall is in compression along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied load, a brace member positioned substantially perpendicular to said wall and extending along said portion of said wall which is in compression, and means connecting said brace memher to said wall portion at a plurality of points, said last named means being constructed and arranged to accommodate longitudinal expansion and contraction of said wall portion relative to said brace member.

BASIL S. CAIN.

No references cited. 

